Observer News: On-line learning program cuts affect some schools more than others
On-line learning program cuts affect some schools more than others
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Penny_Fletcher on 07/06/2012 13:53:00
By PENNY FLETCHER
WIMAUMA — Students attended a bitter-sweet celebration of their reading goals
May 31 dancing to the music of local DJ Tito who often provides entertainment
for special events at Doris Ross Reddick Elementary School in Wimauma.
The disco-type dance was complete with flashing colored lights in a darkened
room and both students and teachers demonstrating their best moves.
The event, which was held between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. with students entering and
leaving, being grouped according to grade, was part of a reward for those
students who had met their reading goals while participating in the Renaissance
Learning Program for reading which is found on line at http://www.renlearn.com.
I called the celebration bitter-sweet because this is the last year the
Hillsborough County School District will ante up the whole cost of the program
and schools just found that out about 10 days ago, according to Reddick’s
Media Specialist Joan Storey.
“Some of the more affluent schools can just go to their PTAs and ask for
money, but we have 96-percent of our students qualifying for free lunch. Our
parents and PTA just don’t have that kind of money.”
“That kind of money,” it seems, is approximately $3.70 per student per year,
which multiplied by 192,000 which is the approximate number of students in the
system according to school spokeswoman Linda Cobbe, comes to a savings of about
$710,400 — or well over half a million.
“Schools had always paid for Accelerated Reader books and tests until 2008
when tests became web-based,” said Cobbe. “For the upcoming school year, the
district is continuing to pay the fee for use of Renaissance Place servers and
the data integration (access to the tests). The schools only have to pay for the
individual licenses.”
The district allocated $200,000 for the program for 2011-2012, she continued,
but because of continued state cuts in the school’s comprehensive reading
funding the board had to choose between paying for these licenses for another
year and hiring reading coaches.
“The need for Renaissance Place also was affected by the community
collaboratively purchasing myOn Reader. That is the partnership between the
district, the Children’s Board, and the Hillsborough County Public Library
Cooperative. myOn is completely digital and also quizzes students after each
book,” Cobbe said.
At Reddick, Storey says about 600 students use the Renaissance program and needs
about $22,000 to continue it.
“Using the Renaissance program is a choice for each student,” Storey
explained. “No kindergartners use it, and about 50 percent of grades 1-5.
That’s because some students like to take the online tests about the books to
earn points, and others don’t like to take tests.”
The tests are, however, described as fun.
The points they earn can be used in a school store Storey and others keep
stocked with candy, gum and other small rewards and also towards special events
like the dance with DJ Tito.
“We’ve tapped out grants. Sun City Center has been very generous, the
Community Foundation, the Interfaith Council. We hold some fundraisers, but
other schools in more affluent areas can just go to their parents and PTA and
get money. We can’t.”
So far this year the rewards program has included a “bouncy house,” a Wacky
Relay Day, and an Ice Cream Sundae Party. DJ Tito was the last planned event as
the school year ends June 8.
J Thomas Roth, principal, says donated books would be as helpful as donated
money.
One of the things he sees the school needs most is Spanish translations of
well-known characters that very young children will recognize.
“Some of them can barely read in their native language, are learning English
and would recognize — let’s say Marmaduke — and it would get their
interest. That is what the program is intended to do, make students lovers of
books for life.”
Reading for pleasure is the ultimate goal but right now Storey is more
down-to-earth about it.
“We just want to get them to read. Any reading will help because it will get
them involved with stories.”
She would like to see more of the Hispanic students reading in English, but they
have to want to read first.
In the beginning of the year, students and teachers make individual goals for
each person which are adjusted and added to along the way. If the student makes
his or her goal, they are rewarded. Then they make another goal.
Visiting the Renaissance Learning site’s reading portion is helpful for those
who might want to become involved.
The school’s Media Center will be the site for summer school, and Storey will
be available most of the summer. To find out more, or to help out, interested
persons may call her at (813) 634-0809, Ext. 228 or e-mail her at
Joan.Storey@sdhc.k12.fl.us.